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Grímsvötn is Iceland's most frequently active volcano, probably because it is located on the center of the active NE rift zone of Iceland. Most of the volcano is hidden beneath the giant glacier of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier.

News from Grímsvötn volcano, Iceland:

Grímsvötn volcano (Iceland): small glacial flood and earthquake swarm

Thursday Mar 27, 2014 22:42 PM | BY: T

Earthquakes under Grímsvötn volcano, probably a result of the glacial flood (Icelandic Met Office)

A small jökulhlaup (glacier outburst flood) started yesterday from the subglacial lake Grímsvötn and has been discharging into the river Gígjukvísl.
The event, which could have been triggered by normal fluctuations of hydrothermal activity under the ice is expected to be small. The Icelandic Met Office reports maximum discharge rates on the order of magnitude 1000 cubic meters per second, similar to rates during summer ice melt, and expects no damage to occur. The maximum of the flood is expected to be around the end of the week.
A small shallow earthquake swarm, probably as a result of adjustments in the ice mass above the draining lake, has accompanied the flood today. There are no indications that the flood was caused by a volcanic eruption of Grímsvötn volcano.

Previous news

A small glacial flood occurred at Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland on 29 January 2012. The cause of the flood was probably not volcanic, but strong rainfalls and unusually high temperatures that caused melting of large amounts of snow. The flood damaged parts of the Ring Road between Núpsvötn and Gígjukvísl in the Skeiðarársandur flood plain and and east of Gígjukvísl.
[more]

The ash plume from the large and still ongoing subglacial eruption of Grimsvötn volcano has caused heavy ash fall and shredded much of the country in darkness over the weekend. At the moment, most flights to and from Iceland are cancelled. ... [more]

Current activity of Bardarbunga volcano, Iceland: An intense seismic crisis started at Bárdarbunga volcano on 16 August 2014 and is continuing at the time of writing (23 Aug). It may or may not lead to a volcanic eruption, possibly under the Vatnajökull ice cap.
Follow updates as news come in!

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